Difference between revisions of "Moat"

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(→‎Passing water: Red's can evaporate water out of your way like silver's can freeze it.)
(Partial rewrite.)
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{{features}}
 
{{features}}
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{{todo|Add details of (or link to?) effect on items - how are they affected, how can they be located and retrieved, particularly invocation items and the Amulet of Yendor}}
 
  
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'''Moats''', '''pools''' and '''swamps''', {{blue|<nowiki>}</nowiki>}}, are bodies of water. Entering a water [[square]] without any precautions risks water damage to your items ("You sink like a rock!"). If there is a floor tile next to the water (with no monster on it), you will climb out safely, otherwise you can [[drown]]. If your [[Encumbrance|encumbrance]] status is at least stressed, you will automatically drop some of your gear into the water to lose enough weight and avoid drowning. However, you might not be able to drop worn armor or a loadstone in time to avoid drowning.
+
'''Moats''', '''pools''' and '''swamps''', {{blue|<nowiki>}</nowiki>}}, are bodies of water.
 +
 
 +
Entering a water [[square]] without any precautions risks [[wet|water damage to your items]] ("You sink like a rock!"). If there is a floor tile next to the water (with no monster on it), you will climb out safely, otherwise you can [[drown]]. If your [[Encumbrance|encumbrance]] status is at least stressed, you will automatically drop some of your gear into the water to lose enough weight and avoid drowning. However, you might not be able to drop worn armor or a loadstone in time to avoid drowning.
  
 
Water can be found at [[Fort Ludios]], the [[Castle]], the [[Wizard of Yendor]]'s room, [[Juiblex]]'s and [[Medusa]]'s level, and after digging down on a [[fountain]]. [[#where it is|See below for a complete list]].
 
Water can be found at [[Fort Ludios]], the [[Castle]], the [[Wizard of Yendor]]'s room, [[Juiblex]]'s and [[Medusa]]'s level, and after digging down on a [[fountain]]. [[#where it is|See below for a complete list]].
  
 
Many [[sea monster]]s live in water areas. They will try to grab you and drown you. To avoid this, you should detect and evade the relatively slow eels, or wear an [[oilskin cloak]] or [[grease]]d armor. If you can detect the sea monsters from afar, you may kill them with some [[missile]]s or [[polearm]]s. In case this is not an option, you should always have some [[escape item]]s in your inventory.
 
Many [[sea monster]]s live in water areas. They will try to grab you and drown you. To avoid this, you should detect and evade the relatively slow eels, or wear an [[oilskin cloak]] or [[grease]]d armor. If you can detect the sea monsters from afar, you may kill them with some [[missile]]s or [[polearm]]s. In case this is not an option, you should always have some [[escape item]]s in your inventory.
 +
 +
==Destroying water==
 +
===Boil it away===
 +
 +
Water can be evaporated with a [[wand of fire]], [[fire horn]], [[potion of oil]], or [[fireball|the fireball spell]]. You can also [[polyself]] into or exploit nearby [[red dragon]]s and [[red naga]] who's breath attacks can evaporate water. Only water in pools can be evaporated, see [[Moat#Pool_vs._Moat_vs._Water|below]].
 +
 +
'''Some water evaporates.'''
 +
:Something evaporated a water tile.
 +
 +
===Freeze it solid===
 +
 +
Water can be frozen into [[ice]] with a [[wand of cold]], [[frost horn]], or [[cone of cold|the cone of cold spell]]. You can also [[polyself]] into or exploit nearby [[silver dragon|silver]] and [[white dragon]]s and [[winter wolf|winter wolves]] who's breath attacks can freeze water. Beware of [[red naga]] and [[red dragon]]s which can melt the ice.
 +
 +
The [[amulet of Yendor]] and [[invocation items]] will appear on top of the newly-created [[ice]]. For other items, dig a pit in the resulting [[ice]] to retrieve the objects. Beware the pit filling back up from adjoining non-frozen water - see the [[Moat#Pool_vs._Moat_vs._Water|"moat vs pool"]] section.
 +
 +
'''The water freezes.'''
 +
:Something froze a water tile.
 +
 +
===Fill it in===
 +
 +
Use boulders to fill up the tile, leaving behind [[floor|solid ground]]. This has a 90% chance of working per boulder, with the boulder being used up either way.
 +
 +
Just like freezing the water, the amulet and invocation items float, others will need to be dug out.
 +
 +
'''You push the boulder into the water.'''
 +
:You pushed a boulder into a water tile.
 +
 +
'''Now you can cross it!'''
 +
:The water tile was filled in.
 +
 +
'''It sinks without a trace!'''
 +
:The water tile was not filled in. Happens 10% of the time.
 +
 +
'''There is a large splash as the boulder fills the water.'''
 +
:A [[scroll of earth]] generated or thrown boulder landed directly in and filled a water tile.
 +
 +
'''There is a large splash as the boulder falls into the water.'''
 +
:Just like the above, but the water tile was NOT filled. Always followed by '''It sinks without a trace!'''
  
 
==Passing water==
 
==Passing water==
−
Water squares can be passed in several ways. You may
+
Water squares can be passed in several ways. You may:
−
*[[jumping|jump]] over them
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*Step into the water and hope to climb back up on the correct side (your objects will become [[wet]].) You can repeat this process as many times as necessary, but you can only cross a one-tile wide water barrier this way (perfect for the [[Castle]]'s moat.)
−
*[[levitation|levitate]] over them. You cannot dip items into water when levitating ("You are floating high above the water").
+
*[[jumping|Jump]] over the water.
−
*freeze them with a [[wand of cold]], [[cone of cold]], or [[frost horn]], creating [[ice]]. ("The water freezes.") Nearby silver and white dragons and winter wolves might handily do this for you. Beware of red nagas and dragons which might melt the ice.
+
*[[Teleport]] to the other side of the water--but many moats are on [[no-teleport level]]s.
−
*red dragons can evaporate water if the water is a pool (see [[Moat#Pool_vs._Moat_vs._Water|bellow]]).
+
*[[levitation|Levitate]] over the water. You cannot dip items into water when levitating. ("You are floating high above the water.")
−
*push a [[boulder]] into the water square to remove the water (90% chance of success, 10% chance the boulder "sinks without a trace")
+
*Wear an [[amulet of magical breathing]] and walk into the water (your objects will become [[wet]].)
−
*wear [[water walking boots]] and walk over them. Then you may #[[dip]] potions and scrolls ad infinitum.
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*Wear [[water walking boots]] and walk over them. Then you may #[[dip]] potions and scrolls ad infinitum.
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*[[teleport]] to the other side of the water (but many moats are on [[no-teleport level]]s)
+
*[[Polymorph]] into a [[flying]], [[levitating]], [[floating]], [[amphibious]], or [[unbreathing]] monster.
−
*wear an [[amulet of magical breathing]] and walk into the water (your objects will become [[wet]])
+
*[[Saddle]], and [[ride]] a [[flying]] or [[levitating]] [[pet]]. There are no ride-able [[amphibious]] or [[floating]] monsters. A ride-able [[unbreathing]] monster would just drown you, if one existed.
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*[[polymorph]] into a flying or swimming monster
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*Get [[punishment|punished]], pick up your [[iron ball]] and throw it over the water, having the ball pull you along. Careful where the ball lands, if it lands in the water it will pull you down and drown you!
−
*[[saddle]] and [[ride]] a flying [[pet]] monster
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*Freeze the water.
−
*jump into the water and hope to climb back up on the correct side (your objects will become [[wet]])
+
*Fill in the water.
−
*get [[punishment|punished]], pick up your [[iron ball]] and throw it over the moat, having the ball pull you along (careful where the ball lands, if it lands in the water it will pull you down and drown you)
+
*Evaporate the water.
  
 
==Retrieving items==
 
==Retrieving items==
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Items that have fallen into a pool or moat do not disappear, rather they remain at the bottom. They can be retrieved in one of several ways:
 
Items that have fallen into a pool or moat do not disappear, rather they remain at the bottom. They can be retrieved in one of several ways:
  
−
*Wear an [[amulet of magical breathing]], or polymorph into an [[unbreathing]] monster or water monster.
 
−
*Evaporate the water with a wand of fire or explosion. This will create a pit with your items in the bottom. This only works with pools, not moat. Don't try in [[Fort Ludios]], the [[Castle]], or the Wizard's Tower.
 
−
*Push a [[boulder]] into the water. The amulet of Yendor and invocation items will appear on top of the newly-created land. For other items, dig a pit in the resulting dry land to retrieve the objects (beware of the pit filling back up from adjoining non-frozen water - see the [[Moat#Pool_vs._Moat_vs._Water|"moat vs pool"]] section).
 
−
*Freeze the water with a [[wand of cold]], [[Spellbook of cone of cold|spell of cone of cold]], [[frost horn]] or cold [[breath attack]]. Same effect as above.
 
 
*Zap a [[wand of teleportation]] or [[Spellbook of teleport away|spell of teleport away]] at the pool or moat and find the teleported items.
 
*Zap a [[wand of teleportation]] or [[Spellbook of teleport away|spell of teleport away]] at the pool or moat and find the teleported items.
 +
*Wear an [[amulet of magical breathing]].
 +
*Polymorph into a [[amphibious]] or [[unbreathing]] monster. [[Flying]], [[levitating]], and [[floating]] monsters cannot pick up underwater items. This includes monsters that are also [[unbreathing]] (wraiths). <ref>{{sourcecode|hack.c|1858}}</ref>
 +
*Freeze the water.
 +
*Fill in the water.
 +
*Evaporate the water.
  
−
If you can [[boots of water walking|water walk]] and attempt to use the [[pick up]] command, you receive the message "You cannot dive into the water to pick things up." This is a generic message and does not reveal if the square actually contains items to retrieve.
+
If you use any other method to get above the water and try to pick things up you will receive the message "You cannot dive into the water to pick things up." ("You can't even see the bottom, let alone pick up something." if [[unbreathing]] and [[flying]]/[[levitating]]/[[floating]].) This is a generic message and does not reveal if the square actually contains items to retrieve.
  
 
==Pool vs. Moat vs. Water==
 
==Pool vs. Moat vs. Water==

Revision as of 23:22, 1 September 2012

Dungeon features
  Air _ Altar
# Corridor # Cloud
#. Drawbridge +-| Door
. Doorway { Fountain
| Headstone .  Floor
>< Ladder . Ice
# Iron bars } Lava
} Moat # Sink
  Solid rock >< Staircase
\ Throne ^" Trap
# Tree - | Wall
~ Vibrating square


Moats, pools and swamps, }, are bodies of water.

Entering a water square without any precautions risks water damage to your items ("You sink like a rock!"). If there is a floor tile next to the water (with no monster on it), you will climb out safely, otherwise you can drown. If your encumbrance status is at least stressed, you will automatically drop some of your gear into the water to lose enough weight and avoid drowning. However, you might not be able to drop worn armor or a loadstone in time to avoid drowning.

Water can be found at Fort Ludios, the Castle, the Wizard of Yendor's room, Juiblex's and Medusa's level, and after digging down on a fountain. See below for a complete list.

Many sea monsters live in water areas. They will try to grab you and drown you. To avoid this, you should detect and evade the relatively slow eels, or wear an oilskin cloak or greased armor. If you can detect the sea monsters from afar, you may kill them with some missiles or polearms. In case this is not an option, you should always have some escape items in your inventory.

Destroying water

Boil it away

Water can be evaporated with a wand of fire, fire horn, potion of oil, or the fireball spell. You can also polyself into or exploit nearby red dragons and red naga who's breath attacks can evaporate water. Only water in pools can be evaporated, see below.

Some water evaporates.

Something evaporated a water tile.

Freeze it solid

Water can be frozen into ice with a wand of cold, frost horn, or the cone of cold spell. You can also polyself into or exploit nearby silver and white dragons and winter wolves who's breath attacks can freeze water. Beware of red naga and red dragons which can melt the ice.

The amulet of Yendor and invocation items will appear on top of the newly-created ice. For other items, dig a pit in the resulting ice to retrieve the objects. Beware the pit filling back up from adjoining non-frozen water - see the "moat vs pool" section.

The water freezes.

Something froze a water tile.

Fill it in

Use boulders to fill up the tile, leaving behind solid ground. This has a 90% chance of working per boulder, with the boulder being used up either way.

Just like freezing the water, the amulet and invocation items float, others will need to be dug out.

You push the boulder into the water.

You pushed a boulder into a water tile.

Now you can cross it!

The water tile was filled in.

It sinks without a trace!

The water tile was not filled in. Happens 10% of the time.

There is a large splash as the boulder fills the water.

A scroll of earth generated or thrown boulder landed directly in and filled a water tile.

There is a large splash as the boulder falls into the water.

Just like the above, but the water tile was NOT filled. Always followed by It sinks without a trace!

Passing water

Water squares can be passed in several ways. You may:

  • Step into the water and hope to climb back up on the correct side (your objects will become wet.) You can repeat this process as many times as necessary, but you can only cross a one-tile wide water barrier this way (perfect for the Castle's moat.)
  • Jump over the water.
  • Teleport to the other side of the water--but many moats are on no-teleport levels.
  • Levitate over the water. You cannot dip items into water when levitating. ("You are floating high above the water.")
  • Wear an amulet of magical breathing and walk into the water (your objects will become wet.)
  • Wear water walking boots and walk over them. Then you may #dip potions and scrolls ad infinitum.
  • Polymorph into a flying, levitating, floating, amphibious, or unbreathing monster.
  • Saddle, and ride a flying or levitating pet. There are no ride-able amphibious or floating monsters. A ride-able unbreathing monster would just drown you, if one existed.
  • Get punished, pick up your iron ball and throw it over the water, having the ball pull you along. Careful where the ball lands, if it lands in the water it will pull you down and drown you!
  • Freeze the water.
  • Fill in the water.
  • Evaporate the water.

Retrieving items

Items that have fallen into a pool or moat do not disappear, rather they remain at the bottom. They can be retrieved in one of several ways:

If you use any other method to get above the water and try to pick things up you will receive the message "You cannot dive into the water to pick things up." ("You can't even see the bottom, let alone pick up something." if unbreathing and flying/levitating/floating.) This is a generic message and does not reveal if the square actually contains items to retrieve.

Pool vs. Moat vs. Water

From the point of view of the source code, there are three types of watery terrain; "WATER" terrain is found only on the Plane of Water, and cannot be altered directly by the player. All other watery terrain is either "POOL" or "MOAT".

Note that NetHack does not necessarily report "MOAT" as "moat"; it may be described as "swamp" (Juiblex's Swamp), "water" (Medusa's Island) or "moat" (any other level)[2].

In most respects, the terrain types "POOL" and "MOAT" behave identically. They cannot be distinguished easily by the hero. However, moats are considered to have considerably more water in them than pools. Their behaviour differs in the following respects:

  • Pools can be evaporated with rays or explosions of fire. Moats cannot.[3]
  • You need three adjacent pools to have a chance of filling a pit you dig with water. You only require a single adjacent moat square.[4]
  • 1/10 of pools contain a kelp frond. Only 1/30 of moat squares contain it.[5]
  • Moat squares are considered contiguous with adjacent moat squares for the purposes of dragging a heavy iron ball. Pools are not.[6]
  • When you die from drowning, moats are reported as "moat"s unless you are on the Medusa's Island level. Otherwise, you drowned in a "pool of water". This means that the MOAT terrain of Juiblex's swamp counts as a "moat" for this death message.[7][8]
  • Water under a drawbridge is always a moat.[9]
  • In wizard mode, you can only wish for pools, not moats (or water).

The easiest way to distinguish the type of water you are dealing with is by :


Encyclopaedia entry

Day after day, day after day,
We stuck, nor breath nor motion;
As idle as a painted ship
Upon a painted ocean.

Water, water, everywhere,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere
Nor any drop to drink.

[ The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, by Samuel Taylor
           Coleridge ]

References

  1. ↑ hack.c, line 1858
  2. ↑ mkmaze.c, line 1147
  3. ↑ zap.c, line 3576
  4. ↑ dig.c, line 443
  5. ↑ mklev.c, line 850
  6. ↑ ball.c, line 564
  7. ↑ mhitu.c, line 1233
  8. ↑ trap.c, line 2947
  9. ↑ dbridge.c, line 171
  10. ↑ fountain.c, line 104
  11. ↑ mkroom.c, line 446
  12. ↑ mklev.c, line 1467


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Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-343}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.

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